Public Safety Notification
October 25, 2011
The Department of Public Safety has learned that several rooms in the Liberal Arts Building were illegally entered over this past weekend. Access was effected by person(s) by climbing upon the roof and entering offices through open and unlocked windows. At least one laptop computer was taken. It appears that valuable items left in plain sight are being targeted.
DPS is asking for your assistance in addressing this problem. You can help by making sure that you close and lock windows and doors when leaving your office, even for a short time, but especially at the end of each day. We also recommend that all valuables be placed into a secured location such as desks, cabinets, or closets and locked. For additioinal safety during the day, please consider the purchase and use of laptop security cables that may be tethered to large objects.
Please contact Officer Steve Mello for additional tips or advice on how to properly secure your valuables.
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Public Safety Crime Advisory
October 16, 2011
Arson - Reference 11-962OF
In accordance to the Federal Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Department of Public Safety would like to advise the community of an incident that occurred at about 3:40 a.m. on Sunday, October 16, 2011 near Apartment 108 of Roberts Hall.
A student reported to police that as he was walking through the apartment hallway, he smelled something burning and noted that a person he describes as a black male, wearing a blue sweatshirt, was observed clicking a lighter. The student then noted that paper tags on two doors were burned and scorch marks left inthe paint. No further description of this person is available.
It should be noted that the fire door leading to the courtyard was found propped open. While unclear if the propped door is related to this incident, proppd doors constitute a serious breach of safety to everyone. Do not prop doors. Report damage when it is observed.
Any person who might have information concerning this incident should contact DPS by telephone at 508.999.9191 or 508.999.8477 or use our Silent Witness site.
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Public Safety Crime Advisory
September 30, 2011
Laptop Thefts
In accordance to the federal Clery disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Department of Public Safety would like to advise the community of several laptop thefts that took place in the Liberal Arts building and an attempted theft from CVPA reported over the past several weeks.
On 9/14/2011 at about 12:45pm, A MacBook laptop was taken from a faculty office on the third floor of the Liberal Arts building. No Suspect was observed.
On 9/26/2011 at about 12:55pm, a white male described as 5'10" tall, with brown hair and close cut beard was interrupted as he attempted to take a laptop from a faculty office in CVPA. When confronted by the owner of the laptop, the suspect dropped the laptop and fled toward the freshmen housing area.
Today, at about 1:00pm, another unsecured office was entered and a similar MacBook laptop was also taken. There was no suspect identified. In all instances, faculty stated they left the room momentarily unsecured.
DPS would like to remind all community members that valuables should not be left unsecured and doors should always be locked. We also recommend that cable devices tethering laptops to large objects be used and these will also serve to discourage thefts. Lastly, we recommend the installation of locating software that will assist in the recovery of stolen items.
Please visit our website at http://www.umassd.edu/publicsafety more safety tips.
The Department of Public Safety is investigating these incidents and is asking for support from our community. Any person who might have information concerning these incidents should contact DPS by telephone at 508.999.9191 or 508.999.8477 (tip line). You can also use the Silent Witness site at http://www.umassd.edu/publicsafety/tipline.cfm.
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Public Safety Crime Advisory
September 18, 2011
Assault with a Dangerous Weapon
11-807OF
In accordance to the federal Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Department of Public Safety would like to advise the community of an incident that occurred at about 3:26Am today in the area of Cedar Dell South Apartments Building 3.
Five students reported to DPS that they were confronted by a group of 6-7 males while while they were gathered outside of their apartment. Two of the assailants produced weapons, one with a knife and one with brass knuckles and began to threaten the students. The occupants retreated into their apartment for their safety but one student was punched on the arm before he was able to close and lock the door. Fortunately, the injuries were not serious and the student declined treatment.
The assailants then fled in a northerly direction on Cedar Dell Road. Responding police officers stopped several groups of students, however, the assailants were not identified among them. The victims describe the assailants as follows:
- The suspect with the knife is described as a white male, approximately 6'1", slim build, bushy brown hair, wearing a white cut off skirt, dark jeans, a white t-shirt tucked in the waistband and a blue fitted baseball cap.
- The suspect with the brass knuckles is described as a white male, approximately 5'8" to 5'10", slim build, earing a dark hooded sweatshirt and the hood tied tightly around his face and wearing dark jeans.
The knife and brass knuckles were later recovered near the apartment.
Any person who might have information concerning this incident should contact DPS by telephone at 508.999.9191 or 508.999.8477 or use our silent witness site http://www.umassd.edu/publicsafety/tipline.cfm
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Public Safety Advisory
September 9, 2011
11-728OF
Attempted Entry into Residential Hall Rooms
In accordance to the federal Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Department of Public Safety would like to advise the community of several incidents that occurred at Chestnut Hall over the past several days.
The University Police Department responded to Chestnut Hall on 9/8/2011 at about 9:00PM to investigate a report of several males posing as resident assistants and then as resident directors in an apparent fraudulent effort to gain entry into a female student's room. These persons repeatedly jostled the door, demanding that the occupant allow them entry. The female student wisely did not allow these persons entry. The complainant could not provide a detailed description of the suspects other than that the suspect was a male. DPS has subsequently learned that similar incidents might have occurred over the past few days.
Students should discuss with Housing staff the proper protocol for RA/RD entry into a room. Students are advised to call DPS 508.999.9191 or X9191 if there is any question as to the legitimacy of an attempted entry before allowing anyone to enter their room.
Any person who might have information concerning this incident should contact DPS by telephone at 508.999.9191 or 508.999.8477 or Silent Witness site -- http://www.umassd.edu/publicsafety/tipline.cfm
